England may test the world supplies of cotton wool in which to wrap their key players before the Ashes. While their desire to win the Champions Trophy should not be underestimated they are anxiously aware of their tasks later in the summer.

Chris Adams was sacked as team director by Surrey yesterday after a dire start to the season. The first-team coach, Ian Salisbury, was also relieved of his duties with immediate effect.

Sri Lanka 253-8 Australia 233

AUSTRALIA V SRI LANKA

Samit Patel's first one-day century for three years guided Nottinghamshire to a six-wicket victory over Warwickshire on Sunday and maintained their 100 per cent start to this season's Yorkshire Bank 40 competition.

Comprehensive defeat to old rivals India is blamed on batsmen 'who fell like cards'

If England's attack stutters in the Ashes, the Surrey quick tells Richard Edwards he is fit and ready to step in

England 169 New Zealand 159-8

Clarke has missed both of their Champions Trophy games due to a back injury but is hopeful of playing some part in tomorrow's Group A decider

England batsman will be given two games two prove he is fit to feature in the first Test at Trent Bridge on July 10th

England bowler has his say on claims by former captain Bob Willis of cheating in defeat to Sri Lanka

Batsman of the day

Sky pundit brings mutterings and rumours of ball-tampering out into the open but umpires have taken no action at all

Things are not what they used to be in the once great and sun-drenched land of Oz.

Some harsh words have been spoken and written about the state of Australian cricket. Here is a sample. “If the Australians continue to flounder, interest will fall away, not only at the grounds but also in the viewing figures. Even interest in one-day cricket will fall off if Australia are beaten regularly by the likes of New Zealand or India or Sri Lanka. The Australian Cricket Board already is concerned about the standard of the game there.”